lugonian I REMEMBER MAMA (RKO Radio, 1948), a Dore Schary presentation, produced and directed by George Stevens, stars Irene Dunne in what many consider to be her most memorable motion picture performance. Based on the play by John Van Druten, and from the novel "Mama's Bank Account" by Kathryn Forbes, it's a heartwarming drama about a Norwegian family of 1910 San Francisco as narrated directly to the screen by Mama's adult daughter, Katrin, wonderfully played by Barbara Bel Geddes. As much as her character nostalgically relates to why she remembers Mama, her story, written in manuscript form from recollections taken from her daily diary, is not only about her mother, but on Mama's family as well. Katrin Hansen (Barbara Bel Geddes) is an American-born daughter to Norwegian-born parents, Marta (Irene Dunne) and Lars (Philip Dorn). Her ambition is to become an accomplished writer. Among family members of their home on the Larkin Street hill are her elder brother (and only boy), Nels (Steve Brown), and her two younger sisters, Christine (Peggy McIntyre) and Dagmar (June Hedlin). The household also includes Dagmar's male cat she calls Elizabeth. Other family members coming to visit from time to time are Aunt Jenny (Hope Landin), Aunt Sierid (Edith Evanson) and Aunt Trina (Ellen Corby). Trina, a fragile-faced 42-year-old spinster who wants nothing more in life than to marry Peter Thorkelson (Edgar Bergen), a funeral parlor operator. There's also a little cousin named Arne (Tommy Ivo) as well as Uncle Chris Halvison (Oscar Homolka), the very one, except for Mama, everyone fears due to his constant yelling, unaware that's how he speaks to everybody. The Hansen's also have a boarder, Jonathan Hyde (Sir Cedric Hardwicke), a dignified English gentleman and unemployed actor earning his keep by reading aloud nightly literary classics as "A Tale of Two Cities" and "The Hound of the Baskervilles" to attentive family members way into the late night hours. Although Hyde never pays his rent, Mama feels he's offered more than she realizes. Following a series of standout scenes that play like individual novel chapters, Katrin resumes her story about her family life and why her mother was so special to her. Other members of the cast consist of Rudy Vallee (Doctor Johnson); Barbara O'Neal (Jessie Brown Halvison, Uncle Chris's wife); and former silent screen actress, Cleo Ridgely in a small role as a schoolteacher.It's no doubt that the role of Mama rightfully belongs to Irene Dunne. Nobody else could have played her as effectively as she did. Very much as Dunne earned her well-deserved Academy Award nomination as Best Actress, the movie didn't fall entirely on her character from start to finish as did Scarlett O'Hara in GONE WITH THE WIND (1939). She very much shares her story with other family members, some who stand out more than some others. While there were three eccentric aunts, only Ellen Corby as Aunt Trina made enough impression to be singled out for an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress. And then there's the talk-yelling Uncle Chris, wonderfully played by Oscar Homolka (Best Supporting Actor nominee), sporting huge mustache and bushy eyebrows. What a scene stealer he was. Surprise casting goes to Rudy Vallee, former crooner of musicals and later non-singing stuffy characters, here as the serious-minded physician; and Edgar Bergen, best known for his ventriloquist act with Charlie McCarthy, in a very rare dramatic performance. There were times Bergen nearly talks like his ventriloquist McCarthy dummy. Almost unrecognizable under his glasses, mustache and bald head in the manner of character actor, Victor Moore, it's a surprise that Bergen's role wasn't played by the Norwegian- type actor of John Qualen.Through its extreme length of 134 minutes, I REMEMBER MAMA moves at a leisurely pace but is never dull. Memorable moments go to Irene Dunne's Mama keeping her promise to her daughter following an emergency operation by sneaking in the hospital and paying her a visit against doctor's orders, followed by her singing a tender lullaby; Mama forced to chloroform Dagmar's sick cat, to surprising results; Mama and Katrin's visit to Uncle Chris at his deathbed, thus learning what a wonderful person he really was; and Mama's clever means of getting to meet with famed celebrity novelist, Florence Dana Moorehead (Florence Bates) regarding her daughter's manuscripts, among others. Philip Dorn as the father, is basically background character here, but does get a tender moment all to himself giving fatherly advise to Katrin regarding her mother's broach and why she should go on with the school play. Let's not overlook Barbara Bel Geddes (Best Supporting Actress nominee) bringing gentleness and joy through her character, Katrin, from teenager to near adult woman author. Very nostalgic down to the costumes and hilly streets of old San Francisco, I REMEMBER MAMA is more than that. It's a story about family togetherness, and never ending the day in anger with one another. Unforgettable to say the least, considering this to be Irene Dunne's first time at her former home studio since 1940, only to be her last great movie before her retirement by 1952. Based on a popular play that also featured Homolka, I REMEMBER MAMA later became the basis of a long-running but now forgotten television series (1949-1957) starring Peggy Wood. For many years, I REMEMBER MAMA aired regularly on commercial television dating back to the 1960s, especially on Mother's Day, before availability in video cassette, DVD, and cable television broadcasts, notably on American Movie Classics (prior to 2001), and Turner Classic Movies. Enjoy this obe. (**** Mother's Day cards)

donny backes Saw this years ago and had forgotten what a charming little film it was.Irene Dunn is wonderful as the rock holding together a struggling family, well worth viewing.While not an overtly political flick it obliquely reminds us that the melting pot concept is what made America what it is and is the greatest source of our nations strength.I think it also effectively challenges Tolstoys over quoted line that all happy families are alike.I wonder if a film such as this could even be made today as none of the characters had internal flaws and were able to triumph over life's random and inevitable adversity on their own inner strength and love for each other.I often find it interesting that art such as this was produced by the generation that had survived the deppression won world war two and quietly built what was perhaps the most successful society the world has ever known.

williwaw Irene Dunne was magnificent in George Stevens brilliant film I Remember Mama. Ms. Dunne nominated for an Oscar but lost to Jane Wyman's Johnny Belinda was never awarded an Oscar and shame on the Academy for never awarding Ms. Dunne an Honorary Oscar for both a great body of work but also impeccable personal behavior. The great star of Love Affair, Show Boat, Roberta, A Guy Named Joe, Anna And the King, I Remember Mama, et al. A great career that saw Ms. Dunne work with the best of Hollywood: Cary Grant, and Spencer Tracy, et al. And directors such as Leo McCarey, and George Stevens. Did Ms. Dunne ever give a bad performance, I cannot think of one. A great array of films from the western Cimmarron to a comedy Theodora Goes Wild, an array of great portrayals. And what a lovely singing voice!George Stevens beautifully directs this wonderful movie and kudos to the magical black and white photography. Producers such as Ross Hunter and William Frye did all they could to have Irene Dunne return to films but the star turned down every offer.

kenjha This comedy-drama looks at the lives of a family of Norwegian immigrants in early 19th century San Francisco. Dunne gives the best performance of her career as the loving and determined mother overcoming challenges while keeping her extended family together. Homolka is wonderfully hammy as the family patriarch, a booming drunkard. In fact, the entire cast does fine work, particularly Bel Geddes as the narrator, Dorn as the father, Hardwicke as a tenant, and Vallee as a doctor. Stevens does a beautiful job of evoking a bygone era. It's a bit overlong and the thick accents are a little difficult to understand, but it's nothing subtitles can't cure.